Xu, C., Su, J., Qu, X., & Zhou, A. 2019 Ant-mealybug mutualism modulates the performance of co-occurring herbivores. Scientific Reports 9:13004

Keywords:

ant association

ecology

honeydew

Notes: Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley), (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a polyphagous invasive mealybug in China, has caused serious ecological consequences and economic losses for local agriculture. Our results provide important insights into the trophic cascading effects of ant-hemipteran mutualism on the involved arthropod species. More generally, these experiments provide a new perspective for understanding the effects of ant-hemipteran interactions on local niche-related community and ecosystem.